The Worst Glastonbury Festival Headliners Of All Time

Glastonbury's headline slots have seen some iconic performances by the greatest acts of all time. It's also seem some questionable choices picked to top the bill. Here are some of the worst.

1. Oasis, Pyramid Stage, 2004

What, really? Yep. When the Gallaghers headlined the Pyramid Stage in 1995, they were at the height of their powers. Come 2004 and the antagonism between the brothers had grown to a point where their set was less than thrilling. Even though hits like Champagne Supernova and Don't Look Back In Anger were all present and correct, there was a spark missing.

2. The White Stripes, Pyramid Stage, 2005

Jack White is an excellent guitarist, but the axe-and-drums combo gets a bit limited after the first 40 minutes and when Big Jack starts to play a xylophone solo, you know the time is right to check out what’s happening on The Other Stage. Photo: PA

3. Travis, Pyramid Stage, 2000

Hey, we LOVED The Man Who. Driftwood, Writing To Reach You… all solid hits. But were Fran Healy and co really headline material? It was an odd day all round at the main stage that Saturday, with Ocean Colour Scene giving way to Pet Shop Boys before Travis finished up the night.

4. Skunk Anansie, Pyramid Stage, 1999

The entire Pyramid Stage on this Sunday in 1999 was a head-scratcher. Irish pop-peddlers The Corrs, Christian rockers Delirious? and another favourite who you'll meet later on this list. But rounding out the day with Skunk Anansie - four long years after the release of Weak and touring their latest LP Post Orgasmic Chill - has to be one of the most baffling calls in Glasto history.

5. Skrillex, Other Stage, 2014

The Other Stage saw the king of dubstep headline last year. Pity dubstep had kind of run out of steam long before Skrillex plugged his laptop in. Anyone fancy heading to the tofu stall?

6. The Twang, John Peel Stage, 2007

The Killers were playing the Pyramid Stage at the same time that The Twang were bringing their unique brand of noise to the John Peel Stage. Think we know where we'd rather be.

7. Rod Stewart, Pyramid Stage, 2002

The "Legends" slot at Glastonbury is always a treat, but there's a reason it usually happens on Sunday afternoon. Letting Rod headline the Pyramid in 2002 made a lot less sense. Sorry Rod, still love the hair.

8. Kula Shaker, Other Stage, 1999

Their debut album K had been a storming success at the height of Britpop. But by the time Kula Shaker came to headline the Other Stage, they'd lost a lot of momentum. Classic case of Glastonbury right place, wrong time.

9. Hurts, John Peel Stage, 2013

Topping the bill at the John Peel Stage, Hurts got some great reviews for their performance. But still, it's Hurts.

10. Shakespear's Sister, Pyramid Stage, 1992

It's not like 1992 was a fallow year for great music, all of which makes the duo's top spot on Saturday even more odd. Also on the bill that year was Lou Reed, The Breeders, Ocean Colour Scene and Billy Bragg.

11. Lenny Kravitz, Pyramid Stage, 1993

Imagine this: you're waiting for Red Hot Chili Peppers to top the bill on the main stage, only to find they've pulled out. In their place steps Kravitz. OK, he was riding high with his mega-hit Are You Gonna Go My Way, but even so...

12. Panic! At The Disco, 2008

The emo-poppers still have a devoted fanbase, but it was a big ask to plonk them on in the main slot on The Other Stage.

13. The Pretenders, NME Stage, 1994

The NME Stage in 1994: the home of new music, at the height of Britpop. Who would you book to top the bill on Friday? Why, none other than Chrissie Hynde and co, a band founded in 1978 and back in the charts with their power ballad, I'll Stand By You. Cowering below them in the line-up were Manic Street Preachers, the Boo Radleys and Beastie Boys. No justice.

14. The Bluetones, Other Stage, 1997

It wasn't really their fault, though. The Year Of The Mud saw The Other Stage start to sink under the combined attack of water, gloop and fecal matter, meaning problems with the PA and poor old Mansun not being able to play a single song. They jacked it in, allowing Mark Morriss and his merry men to finish off the evening - which was less than memorable, under the circumstances.